Backup QB Brian Hoyer said Tom Brady's absence from OTA for the Patriots isn't a distraction "in any way at all."

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

Two players to highlight today from the Patriots' second organized team activity: First-year CB Ryan Lewis (University of Pittsburgh) and rookie Keion Crossen (seventh-round pick, Western Carolina). Lewis, who spent last year on the practice squad, took quality repetitions opposite starter Stephon Gilmore and showed up with some ball disruption, while Crossen had the play of the day, showing off his 40-inch vertical leap by going up to intercept a Brian Hoyer pass intended for running back James White in the back right-hand corner of the end zone. Crossen showed excellent technique on the play, turning back to the ball and catching it at its high point.

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Belichick 'not going to talk about the people' not at OTAs (0:29)

0:23

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

Rookie QB Danny Etling smiles wide when asked about Tom Brady.

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Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

Bill Belichick on Tom Brady: "I'm not going to talk about the people that aren't here. The guys that are here are improving, they're working hard and those are the guys we're going to focus on."

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0:15

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

Why hasn't Bill Belichick issued jersey numbers to Patriots rookies? He says there isn't time to focus on things that aren't important like that.

Rob Gronkowski could be leaving $250,000 on the table by skipping OTAs, but perhaps a sweetened deal could influence him to make the trip.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

Something unusual for Patriots rookies: They have yet to be assigned official jersey numbers. So at today's OTA, rookie QB Danny Etling will be in a red, non-contact No. 58 jersey. Said LB Christian Sam: "We just all had jerseys in our lockers the first day and we wore them."

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Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

Patriots announce previously reported coaching addition of Cameron Achord as assistant special teams coach, and Atif Austin as a coaching assistant. Austin most recently spent four seasons as a wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator at North Dakota State.

If you take Brady at his word that his decision was based on his family, Jimmy G wouldn't have changed that.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

The Patriots re-signed first-year guard Jason King (Purdue) on Friday. To make room for King, who has had multiple stints with the club, the Patriots waived undrafted rookie receiver Chris Lacy (Oklahoma State). The team has a full 90-man roster.

Randy Moss and Aqib Talib were rental hits, but there have been a couple of misses in New England.

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

Danny Shelton wore No. 55 in Cleveland as a tribute to Junior Seau. He says he tried for 55 in New England but feels good about being issued No. 71, which he wore in college and high school. "It's more of me wanting to play as myself, finally take charge and just try to do me."